*Rock-bottom Aston Villa avoided defeat for a third successive Premier League match as they held neighbours West Brom in an uninspiring stalemate.*

Villa should have been awarded a first-half penalty when Jordan Ayew was fouled by Albion defender Jonas Olsson.

Albion failed to register a single shot on target, although Craig Dawson headed over and Stephane Sessegnon slashed wide after the break.

Villa rarely threatened with Ashley Westwood’s low shot their best effort.

*Any hope for Villa?*

Villa have been written off as relegation certainties by many onlookers, cut adrift at the bottom of the table following a miserable first half of the Premier League campaign.

The Midlanders had earned just eight points after 20 matches, but have managed to give themselves - and their beleaguered fans - a modicum of hope in recent weeks.

A home win against Crystal Palace - their first victory since the opening day - has been followed by successive draws at Leicester and Albion.

But they still remain nine points adrift of safety with 15 matches remaining.

Villa are the league’s lowest goalscorers, having netted just 18 times this season, and their lack of cutting edge hampered them again at The Hawthorns.

Remi Garde’s men enjoyed more than 60% of possession and managed 15 attempts at the Albion goal, but home keeper Ben Foster was rarely stretched.

*Berahino can’t help toothless Albion*

Albion were aiming to clinch a top-flight double over Villa for the first time in 51 years, having won 1-0 at Villa Park in September.
England Under-21 striker Saido Berahino was their match-winner on that day, but he has rarely made an impact since amid uncertainty about his future at Albion.

Berahino was introduced with about half an hour left against Villa as Tony Pulis tried to add some much-needed attacking impetus to his team.

But Berahino, like the rest of the home side, failed to seriously trouble Villa keeper Mark Bunn.

Albion did not manage a shot on target when they lost at Southampton last weekend - and failed to do so again.

However, the point did move Pulis’ side - who are 13th - seven points clear of the bottom three.

Man of the match - Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa forward Jordan Ayew looked the likeliest player to break the deadlock, worrying Albion’s defence with his pace and movement